Exercise Machine Having Safety Feature On The Weight Selection Pin

ABSTRACT

Safety selection pin for weight stack selection system wherein the mid portion of the selection pin is machined down in diameter, forming a shoulder on the edge of the cut out portion. The length of the cut is slightly longer than the diameter of the central stem, or longer than the engaging portion of a link-connector in a “stemless” system, preventing the selection pin from being pulled out during the loaded state of a weight stack exercise machine, thus helping to avoid accidental injuries to users and nearby people.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved design and construction of fitness training equipment wherein the selection pin has a safety feature to prevent said selection pin from being accidentally pulled out during loaded state, thus avoiding injuries to the users and potential nearby people.

Selectable amount of weight is commonly found on many fitness training equipment. A popular method is by using a central stem going down the center holes of a stack of weight plates, wherein a selection pin can be inserted through a hole on the side of each weight plate and through the central stem, forming the point of pick-up when users are engaging in exercise or training, as shown in FIG. 1. All the weight plates above the point of inserted selection pin will be the desired total weight (including the plated having the inserted pin). When users pull the cable, the training equipment is then in a loaded state, all the plates below the point of insertion pin will NOT be selected.

Another weight selection mechanism contains built-in push-in-switch cartridge system on the weight plate, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the push-in pin will cause the pin to insert through a corresponding hole in the central stem, so that the weight plates above the point of insertion will be the desired total weight.

During the fitness equipment's relaxed state, users insert a selection pin, as in FIG. 1, or push the selection push-in-switch pin, as in FIG. 2, to engage in the desired weight for training purpose. In normal usage, the cable will be pulled tight, as users gradually apply force to the cable/stem and pull up the selected weights, causing the fitness equipment to be in a loaded state.

During the fitness equipment's loaded state, however, the selection pin, being of metallic construction and having low surface friction, can be pulled out, causing the fitness equipment to change from loaded state to relaxed state instantly. This instant change from loaded state to relaxed state will result in the free-fall of the selected weight plates, dropping down to the bottom of the stack, likely causing injuries to users or people nearby, especially if the selection pin is pulled out accidentally, or for unknown reasons.

Present invention discloses and claims a safety feature for the selection pin to prevent the pulling out of selection pin from happening when the fitness equipment is in the loaded state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art weight selection system currently used by the industry, wherein a central stem is inserted through the holes of the weight plates and an insertion pin is used to insert through the hole on the side of a weight plate and a corresponding hole on the central stem and achieving desired weight selection.

FIG. 2 shows another prior art weight selection system wherein the weight plates contain built-in push-in-switch to insert the selection pin through the corresponding hole on the central stem.

FIG. 3 shows a profile view of a selection pin of present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cut-out view of a safety selection pin of present invention inside the weight stacks.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-out view of a safety selection pin of present invention inside the weight stacks, with the central stem being pulled up, resulting in the fitness equipment in a loaded stated.

FIG. 6 shows a cut-out view of a safety selection pin of present invention inside weight stacks having built-in selecting cartridge system.

FIG. 7 shows the length of the cut on the safety selection pin is slightly longer than the diameter of the central stem.

FIG. 8 shows the cut-out view of a safety selection pin of present invention inside weight stacks of a “stemless” fashion, using a link-connector mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the problem with accidental pullout of the selection pin can happen, as there is little friction to stop the lateral/horizontal travel of the selection pin, even when the fitness equipment is in loaded state.

In FIG. 3, the central portion of the selection pin is machined down a little bit, resulting in the length L of the pin to have reduced diameter and the length of the reduced portion slightly longer than the diameter D of the central stem, so that the selection pin cannot be pulled out during loaded state, due to a shoulder 11 formed on the edge of the cut will be tightly wedged against the central stem.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 shows the safety selection pin of present invention used in a weight stack system in, respectively, the relaxed state and loaded stated. Specifically, in FIG. 5, when the desired weight is pulled up, the central stem is engaged into the L segment of the pin, thus preventing from the pin being pulled out laterally/horizontally, because the shoulder 11 would be wedged against the central stem.

For weight stacks having built-in selection push-in-switch, present invention works equally well, by having a length of the selection pin machined down in its diameter, as shown in FIG. 7. The length of the cut is still slightly longer than the diameter of the central stem, so that the shoulder formed on the edge of the cut will stop the accidental movement of the pin.

For the “stemless system”, as in FIG. 8, present invention works equally well by having a length of the selection pin machined down in its diameter, so that the length of the cut is slightly longer than the diameter of the link-connector portion being engaged. 

1. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising: a. A central stem; a. A plurality of weight plates stacked vertically each having a central hole to slidably receive said central stem; and, c. A safety selection pin that can be slidably fitted through a side hole of each weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of said central stem, forming a shoulder on the safety selection pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine.
 2. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising: a. A central stem; b. A plurality of weight plates where each weight plate further having a built-in push-in/switch for engaging the selection pin into the central stem; and, c. A safety selection pin on each of the weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of said central stem, forming a shoulder on the safety pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine.
 3. Exercise machine having safety feature in the selection pin, comprising: a. A plurality of weight plates where each weight plate further having a corresponding link-connector and a corresponding hole on the link-connector and plate for engaging a safety selection pin to select desired weight; and, b. A safety selection pin on each of the weight plate wherein the a length of the mid portion of the safety selection pin is machined down in diameter, so that the length of the reduced diameter portion is slightly longer than the diameter of engaged portion of the link-connector, forming a shoulder on the safety selection pin to prevent being pulled out during loaded state of the exercise machine. 